Expressions of Fas and bcl-2 on T and B Lymphocyte in Peripheral Blood of Patients With Active Lupus Nephritis

Objective: Our aim was to study the gene expressions of Fas, bcl 2 the on T and B lymphocyte in peripheral blood of patients with active lupus nephritis (LN) and its relation with lymphocyte apoptosis. The relationship of the disease active index, renal function, and cell apoptosis were also studied. Methods: Expressions of Fas and, bcl 2 on T and B lymphocyte and cell undergoing apoptosis in peripheral blood of patients with LN and healthy controls were identified by using flow cytometer. The correlation was also determined. Results: The expression of bcl 2 gene on B lymphocyte and CD8 +T lymphocyte increased significantly (P0.01, P0.01) but decreased on CD4 +T lymphocyte (P0.05). Expression of Fas on CD4 + and CD8 +T lymphocyte increased (P0.05, P0.05) and decreased on B lymphocyte  (P0.01). The percent of B lymphocyte apoptosis decreased significantly (P0.01). The number of CD8 +T lymphocyte in LN was more than that in controls (P0.05), but that of CD4 +T lymphocyte was less than that in controls (P0.01). Renal function disorder and anti dsDNA increased, and B lymphocyte apoptosis decreased. The decreasing of CD4 +T lymphocyte and the increasing of CD8 +T lymphocyte were related with each other. Conclusion: Abnormal expressions of Fas and bcl 2 on T and B lymphocyte related to lymphocytes have relationship with lymphocyte apoptosis. They are important in the pathogenesis of LN.